I did the passanger side head with the motor still in. Unfortunately, one cylinder sleeve did come out with the head! After talking to some really "old" VW'ers, I fashoned a ring compresser out of banding wire and used a very small pair of needle-nosed grip pliers to hold it. I oiled that puppy good with Mystery Oil and slowly tapped the cylinder back on, letting it push the compresser as it went. I oiled the inside of the cylinder as well. It worked just like the "old boy" told me! The banding wire is only usable once because it gets pretty distorted when you unclip it and pull it off. That was at 130,000 miles. Now at 194000 miles, its time to do the drivers head again. It was last done at 72,000 miles. Oh yes, these are the original heads and I've never had them machined. Just use lots of VW black goop and a torque wrench. Ralph 1985 Vanagon GL/194000 miles Spokane WA |
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